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In the reign of Malcolm IV
(1153-65) a family of Norman origin was established in the north of Fife
as vassals of the priory of St Andrews; the head of the family took his
surname from the lands of Kinnear (probably Gaelic ceann iar - 'west
headland') now represented on the map only by a farm name. By 1296 Sir
John de Kyner was important enough to have his name included in the Ragman
Roll. Henry Kinnear of that Ilk was appointed commendator of Balmerino
Abbey in 1574, and by this time the family had the lucrative monopoly of
ferry crossings of the Tay at what is now Newport. George Kinnear was an
Edinburgh banker in the early 19th century whose lovely wife was painted
by Raeburn. The name, now found all over Scotland, may tend to be confused
with Kinnaird. |
